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They do tap out with a little effort. I took a 1/4 inch extension that just fits inside a strut without bushings and ground the end so that it fits inside the bushing. That way when you pound on the bushing the driver stays centered in the bushing and does not gouge the aluminum strut. I use a piece of hardwood with a hole drilled in it to accept the bushings as they come out.

Kintec racing offers a few different options, one with bearings and one with an upgraded bushing. They also have a 3/16 driveshaft and upgraded strut combo for $40. Seems like a good deal for the whole package. I considered going with that before ordering the .187 cable from Wholt.

I tried the updated shaft with floating bushing and it slowed the boat down by two or three mph. Plus after only a dozen runs it was showing wear on the shaft. I returned them and they gave me a partial refund. I now run a bearing set up with Jeff Wholts .150 cable. We have many runs in the sixty mph range with no problems with this set up.

SJS - what bearings did you go with? The ones Kintec offers? I just ordered the .187 shaft from Jeff, and I am wondering if that would work with upgraded bearings or if I should stay with the stock ones.

I am using ceramic bearings from Boca Bearings. The part no. is SMF85C-20S#7 with NB2 grease.
They are more expensive than the all steel from Kintec but the ceramic have less friction. These bearings are 8mm x 5mm to fit the strut and the flex cable. I will assume that the .187 flex from Jeff is still 5mm to fit the stock strut and necks down to 3/16 to fit the props.